ERNST
Zündel is an odious individual. His
hateful neo-Nazi views are, or should be,
repugnant to all Canadians. He is not the
sort of immigrant this country wants, and
he deserves to be sent back to
Germany.

But the way the federal government is
trying to get rid of Zündel
is wrong -- it is using law that is so
sweeping in its scope that it may be, as
Zündel's lawyer Doug Christie
argues, unconstitutional.

It would allow him to be deported on
evidence that amounts to mere assumption
and subject him to a kangaroo court
process where no defence can be
mounted.

The Canadian
Security and Intelligence Service calls
Zündel the patriarch of Canada's
white supremacist "movement."

It argues he is a risk to national
security -- a finding essential for his
deportation under this procedure --
because he is trying to "destroy the
multicultural fabric and underpinnings of
Canadian society."

Most Canadians aren't aware of any
"movement," apart from the weirdos that
turn up every once in a while on the
fringe of other demonstrations to yell and
wave swastikas.

And most Canadians would be surprised
to learn that the country's multicultural
fabric could be torn apart or society
toppled by Zündel's rants which are
not, in fact, broadcast widely.

But this is the basis for CSIS's
security certificate against Zündel.
And the Federal Court judge who begins
hearing the case today is instructed by
the new immigration law that facts
constituting inadmissability to Canada
include those for which there is a
reasonable belief "may occur."

There's no need for evidence that what
Zündel is preaching is harming
national security.

CSIS and other government officials can
present evidence to back up this claim.
But the hearing will be closed.
Zündel won't be able to hear what
evidence they submit against him.

The judge will make up his mind after
hearing only one side of the case, in
secret.

Only one of more than 30 security
certificates issued since the early '90s
has been rejected. The Federal Court is
being used as an administrative
convenience to remove Zündel without
having to go through a long judicial
process.

Zündel is a bad man. This
procedure is just as bad and should never
be used again.